Scrivener Dam, Gravity dam in Canberra, Australia

Scrivener Dam is a gravity dam that stretches 319 meters across the Molonglo River at a height of 33 meters. Five spillway gates control the water flow into Lake Burley Griffin.

Designed in Germany, the dam was built with about 55,000 cubic metres of concrete and named after surveyor Charles Scrivener. Interior Minister Gordon Freeth closed its valves on 20 September 1963, and the lake reached its planned level on 29 April 1964. Prime Minister Robert Menzies marked the filling on 17 October 1964, and in 2022 the dam was listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List.

The dam created Lake Burley Griffin, which became central to how Canberra residents spend their leisure time outdoors. Today, people gather here for water sports, fishing, and casual moments along the shoreline.

Visit on days with stable weather when the paths around the lake are easiest to walk. Wear proper shoes since the areas around the dam and along the shoreline sit at different levels.

The dam uses fish-belly flap gates, a specialized design that allows precise control of water levels. This system keeps shoreline changes from being too visually obvious to visitors.